The subject line is very misleading.
Good organization and proper use will make a stooge as safe and reliable as any other piece of equipment we use.
I fly alone a lot and always use a stooge, in fact, I feel safer and would prefer the stooge to a holder, especially an inexperienced one. I know the plane isn't going anywhere until I pull the line. In fact, the other day, I had a 70 year old veteran C/L flier hold for me and he put his thumb through the silk span at the wing tip...... I couldn't believe it!
And, like DOC suggested, I always hook my safety thong to a large nail that I push mostly into the ground. People at the park where I fly illegally allow their dogs to run off leash so great care must be taken.
Orv.